Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHALHETWER’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘PHALHETWER’, particularly characterized by white flowers with greenish-yellow and white lips, flowers with a flat shape in lateral view, dorsal sepals with a concave shape in cross section, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHALHETWER’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of the Orchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘PHALHETWER’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. The objective of this breeding program was to create a new Phalaenopsis plant with white flowers and greenish-yellow and white lips, suitable for potted plant production.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHALHETWER’ is a result of cross-pollination made by the inventor in January 2012 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, of the proprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘6541-01’ (unpatented) with the proprietary male, or pollen parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘01-1988’ (unpatented).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, in October 2014. Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culture since 2016 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, has demonstrated that the new variety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations.

Community Plant Variety Rights for this variety have been applied for in the European Union on Apr. 9, 2020 (Application no. 2020/1000), by Applicant who obtained the subject matter disclosed directly from the inventor. ‘PHALHETWER’ has not been made publicly available or sold anywhere in the world prior to the effective filing date of this application with the exception of sales or disclosures made one year or less before the effective filing date of this claimed invention by Applicant who obtained ‘PHALHETWER’ directly from the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, and can be used to distinguish ‘PHALHETWER’ as a new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1) White flowers with greenish-yellow and white lips;     -   2) Flower shape in lateral view is flat; and     -   3) Dorsal sepal shape in cross section is concave.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms, buds, and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs were taken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, from 50-week-old plants in February 2021. Colors in the photographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actual colors of the new variety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms, buds, and foliage of ‘PHALHETWER’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHALHETWER’.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of the leaves of ‘PHALHETWER’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘PHALHETWER’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length, without, however, any variance in genotype. The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under 4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. Observations and measurements were made in February 2021 on flowering plants which were planted in 12-centimeter (diameter) pots. After in vitro propagation, the plants were grown in nursery trays for 20-24 weeks, followed by transplantation to 12-centimeter pots and grown in a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 30 weeks, continued by a cooling period of 8 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks in a greenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occurs after 50 weeks in 12-centimeter pots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.         -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.         -   Common name.—Moth orchid.         -   Variety name.—‘PHALHETWER’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘6541-01’ (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘01-1988’ (unpatented). -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture. -   Roots:     -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green (a color in between RHS 190B             and RHS 190C) colored roots with branching lateral roots             having yellow-green (RHS 144C) with a hint of purplish-red             (RHS N77B) colored root tips. -   Plant:     -   -   Crop time to flowering.—Following asexual propagation (in             vitro), the rooted cuttings grow for 20-24 weeks. After             transplantation into 12-cm pots, the plants are finished             after 48 to 50 weeks.         -   Growth habit of the peduncle.—Upright to slightly pendent             with raceme and panicle inflorescence.         -   Height (from soil level to top of             inflorescence).—Approximately 66.0 cm to 71.0 cm.         -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 42.0 cm to 44.0 cm.         -   Vigor.—Strong. -   Leaves:     -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 10 to 12 leaves are             produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 23.0 cm             to 26.0 cm. Width: 7.0 cm to 8.0 cm. Position of the             broadest part of the leaf: At the middle. Shape: Oblong.             Base shape: Moderately to very elongated. Apex: Obtuse             unequal. Leaf blade angle with the petiole (measured from             the horizontal position): Between 25 degrees and 50 degrees.             Leaf margin: Entire. Color: Upper surface: RHS 146A. Lower             surface: RHS 146B with a dark yellowish-brown margin (RHS             N199B) toward the tip. Texture (both upper and lower             surfaces): Smooth. Thickness: 2.0 mm to 3.0 mm. Variegation:             Absent. Venation: Pattern: Parallel. Color of the midvein:             Upper surface: RHS 146A. Lower surface: RHS 146B. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 2.         -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—10 to 14.         -   Length.—66.0 cm to 71.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—6.0 mm to 7.0 mm.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendent.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Dark yellowish-brown (RHS N200A) with a touch of             light yellow-green (RHS 146B).         -   Internode length.—5.0 cm to 7.0 cm. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendent, raceme and panicle             inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open             in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.         -   Number of inflorescences.—1 to 2.         -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 350.0 mm to             450.0 mm.         -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 10 to 11             months after planting in a 12-cm pot.         -   Flower.—Height: 90.0 mm to 95.0 mm. Diameter: 100.0 mm to             105.0 mm. Depth of lip: 22.0 mm to 24.0 mm.         -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 12 to 14 weeks.         -   Flower shape.—Flat.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Flower bud.—Average size: Large. Length: 25.0 mm to 27.0 mm.             Width: 21.0 mm to 23.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped. Color:             Yellow-green (a color in between RHS N144D and RHS 145C)             with a touch of purplish-red (RHS N77B) toward the tip.         -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Semi-circular. Apex:             Rounded to slightly emarginated asymmetric. Margin: Weakly             undulated. Length (from base to tip): 44.0 mm to 46.0 mm.             Width: 62.0 mm to 64.0 mm. Position of the broadest part of             the petal: Toward the base. Color (when fully opened): Upper             surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color:             Absent. Lower surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over             color: Hint of light yellow-green (RHS 145D). Number of             spots and stripes on the petals (upper surface): None. Color             of spots and stripes on the petals (upper surface): Not             applicable. Density of netting of the petals (upper             surface): None. Color of the netting (upper surface): Not             applicable.         -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Broad elliptic. Apex: Slightly             emarginated symmetric. Margin: Entire. Length (from base to             tip): 49.0 mm to 51.0 mm. Width: 37.0 mm to 39.0 mm.             Position of the broadest part of the dorsal sepals: At the             middle. Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic             color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Absent. Lower             surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Light             yellow-green (a color in between RHS 145C and RHS 145D) and             light reddish-purple (a color in between RHS N78D and RHS             76B). Number of spots and stripes on the dorsal sepals             (upper surface): None. Color of spots and stripes on the             dorsal sepals (upper surface): Not applicable. Density of             netting of the dorsal sepals (upper surface): None. Color of             the netting: Not applicable.         -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse symmetric.             Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 51.0 mm to             53.0 mm. Width: 29.0 mm to 31 0 mm. Position of the broadest             part of the lateral sepals: At the base. Color (when fully             opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C).             Over color: Light yellow-green (a color in between RHS 145C             and RHS 145D) at the base. Lower surface: Basic color: White             (RHS NN155C). Over color: Light yellow-green (a color in             between RHS 145C and RHS 145D); reddish-purple midvein (RHS             N78B) toward the tip. Number of spots and stripes on the             lateral sepals (upper surface): None. Color of spots and             stripes on the lateral sepals (upper surface): Not             applicable. Density of netting of the lateral sepals (upper             surface): None. Color of the netting (upper surface): Not             applicable.         -   Labellum (lip).—Whiskers: Present. Length of whiskers: 33.0             mm to 35.0 mm. Color of whiskers: White (RHS NN155C) with             light greenish-yellow tip (RHS 4C). Pubescence on the lip:             Absent.         -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type V (as described in the             International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of             Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); spatulate.             Margin: Entire. Length: 21.0 mm to 23.0 mm. Width: 18.0 mm             to 20.0 mm. Color: Upper surface: Reddish-orange (RHS 174B)             and purplish-red stripes (RHS 185C) at the base;             greenish-yellow (RHS 151B) toward margin on one side; white             (RHS NN155C) toward other margin and the tip. Lower surface:             Greenish-yellow (RHS 151B) toward margin on one side; white             (RHS NN155C) toward other margin and the tip. Number of             spots and stripes on the lateral lobe: Few stripes. Color of             spots and stripes on the lateral lobe: RHS 174B and RHS             185C. Density of netting of the lateral lobe: None. Color of             the netting: Not applicable.         -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Triangular. Margin: Entire. Length: 22.0             mm to 24.0 mm. Width: 26.0 mm to 28.0 mm. Color: Upper             surface: Reddish-orange margin (RHS 174B) and             greenish-yellow (RHS 151B) at the base; white (RHS NN155C)             toward whiskers. Lower surface: Reddish-orange margin (RHS             174B) and greenish-yellow (RHS 151B) at the base; white (RHS             NN155C) toward whiskers. Number of spots and stripes on the             apical lobe: None. Color of spots and stripes on the apical             lobe: Not applicable. Density of netting of the apical lobe:             None. Color of the netting: Not applicable.         -   Callus.—Average size: Medium to large. Height: 7.0 mm to             8.0 mm. Length: 6.0 mm to 7.0 mm. Width: 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm.             Color: Yellow tips and front (RHS 7A); yellowish-white (RHS             155A) on sides; dotted (RHS 59B). -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Column.—Length: 9.0 mm to 11.0 mm. Diameter: 5.0 mm to             6.0 mm. Color: White (RHS NN155C).         -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 0.9 mm to 1.2 mm. Color:             Orange (RHS 24A).         -   Ovary.—Length: 14.0 mm to 16.0 mm. Diameter: 2.5 mm to 2.8             mm.         -   Pedicel.—Length: 40.0 mm to 42.0 mm. Diameter: 3.0 mm to             3.4 mm. Color: Yellow-green (RHS 146C) and light             yellow-green (a color in between RHS 145B and RHS 145C)             toward the flower. Texture: Smooth. -   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or     susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to     Phalaenopsis to date. -   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on     plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

‘PHALHETWER’ differs from the female parent plant ‘6541-01’ (unpatented) in that ‘PHALHETWER’ has white whiskers with light greenish-yellow tips, whereas ‘6541-01’ has white whiskers with greenish-yellow tips. Additionally, ‘PHALHETWER’ has a larger lip depth than ‘6541-01’.

‘PHALHETWER’ differs from the male parent plant ‘01-1988’ (unpatented) in that ‘PHALHETWER’ has white whiskers with light greenish-yellow tips, whereas ‘01-1988’ has white whiskers with yellow tips. Additionally, ‘PHALHETWER’ has smaller flowers, smaller lip depth, and longer whiskers than ‘01-1988’.

‘PHALHETWER’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named ‘PHALHYLDO’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 32,206) and ‘PHALFUBNE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,395). ‘PHALHETWER’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALHYLDO’ in that ‘PHALHETWER’ has longer leaves, longer whiskers, and longer internodes than ‘PHALHYLDO’.

‘PHALHETWER’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALFUBNE’ in that ‘PHALHETWER’ has slightly emarginated dorsal sepal apexes and obtuse leaf apexes, whereas ‘PHALFUBNE’ has obtuse dorsal sepal apexes and rounded leaf apexes. Additionally, ‘PHALHETWER’ has smaller flowers, longer leaves, and longer whiskers than ‘PHALFUBNE’. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHALHETWER’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 